Ceiling fan

ABSTRACT

A ceiling fan includes a central hub, a motor disposed in the central hub, an impeller coupled to the motor, and a plurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub. The central hub includes an interior chamber. The impeller is operable to rotate relative to the central hub. At least one of the plurality of fan blades includes a nozzle that defines an interior passageway and an outlet. The interior passageway of the nozzle is in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the central hub. The motor actuates the impeller for drawing air into the interior chamber of the central hub, forcing the air to the interior passageway of the nozzle, and expelling the air from the outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/627,438, filed Feb. 7, 2018, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present subject matter relates to ceiling fans, and in particular,to bladeless ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans may be mounted to ceilings to circulate air within rooms.Some fans include blades or impellers positioned within a housing suchthat the blades or impellers are not visible to a user. Such fans arereferred to as bladeless fans. A bladeless fan typically draws airthrough an opening in the housing and guides the air through innerpathways until the air is pushed out of the inner pathways in a givendirection. Taking advantage of the Bernoulli principle and Coandaeffect, high velocity air expelled from the bladeless fans drawsadditional air into the airflow zone, thereby increasing a total airflow.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a ceiling fan includes a central hub, a motordisposed in the central hub, an impeller coupled to the motor, and aplurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub. Thecentral hub may include an interior chamber. The impeller may beoperable to rotate relative to the central hub. At least one of theplurality of fan blades may include a nozzle that defines an interiorpassageway and an outlet. The interior passageway of the nozzle may bein fluid communication with the interior chamber of the central hub. Themotor may actuate the impeller for drawing air into the interior chamberof the central hub, forcing the air to the interior passageway of thenozzle, and expelling the air from the outlet.

In another embodiment, a ceiling fan includes a central hub, a pluralityof fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub, and a driveassembly supported by the central hub. The central hub may have acentral axis. A fan blade of the plurality of fan blades may have alongitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the central axis. The driveassembly may be operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades relativeto the central axis of the central hub. The drive assembly may beoperable to rotate the fan blade relative to the longitudinal axis.

In a further embodiment, the ceiling fan includes a central hub, aplurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub, and adrive assembly supported by the central hub. The central hub may includean interior chamber, a first motor that may be disposed in the centralhub, and an impeller that may be coupled to the first motor. Each of theplurality of fan blades may include a nozzle and an oscillation gear.Each nozzle may define an interior passageway and an outlet. Theinterior passageway of each nozzle may be in fluid communication withthe interior chamber of the central hub. The drive assembly may includea ring gear that may be coupled to a respective oscillation gear of eachof the plurality of fan blades and a second motor that may be coupled tothe ring gear. The second motor may be configured to move the ring gearrelative to a central axis of the hub to tilt each of the plurality offan blades relative to a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to thecentral axis. The first motor may be configured to actuate the impellerto draw air into the interior chamber of the central hub, force the airto the interior passageways of the nozzles, and expel the air out fromthe outlets of the plurality of fan blades.

Other aspects of the present subject matter will become apparent byconsideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling fan of FIG. 1 takenalong section line A-A.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling fan of FIG. 1 takenalong section line A-A and depicting airflow through the ceiling fan.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ceiling fan of FIG.1 taken along section line B-B.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a portion of the ceiling fan of FIG. 1 with aportion of a central hub removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan according to anotherembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan according to anotherembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ceiling fan according to anotherembodiment of the present subject.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat the present subject matter is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Thepresent subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate ceiling fans, generally designated 100, 200, 300.The ceiling fans 100, 200, 300 may be used within rooms to createairflows within the rooms. Such airflows may be useful for improvedheating of the room, improved cooling of the room, and/or the like.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the ceiling fan 100 may include a centralhub 104 and a plurality of fan blades 108 positioned circumferentiallyaround the central hub 104. The plurality of fan blades 108 may becoupled to and extend outwardly from the central hub 104. The centralhub 104 may include at least one inlet 112 and an interior chamber 116(FIGS. 2-3). The inlet 112 may be in fluid communication with theinterior chamber 116. The inlet 112 may be defined by one or moreopenings in the central hub 104. In the illustrated embodiment, theinlet 112 may be positioned above the plurality of fan blades 108 (e.g.,more proximate the ceiling). In other embodiments, the inlet 112 may bepositioned elsewhere on the central hub 104 (e.g., on an exterior sideof the central hub 104, on a wall of the central hub 104, and/or thelike).

The fan blades 108 may be coupled to the central hub 104 by way of astem 120. In some embodiments, the stem 120 may define a channel thatmay communicate with the interior chamber 116 of the central hub 120.One or more of the fan blades 108 may be formed as and/or include anozzle 124. The nozzle 124 may include or define a longitudinal axis Bthat extends along a length of the corresponding fan blade 108. As shownin the illustrated embodiment, each nozzle 124 may be formed as agenerally annularly shaped nozzle 124 that defines a central aperture128 extending through the nozzle 124, an interior passageway 130 (FIGS.2-3) in fluid communication with the channel of the stem 120, and/or anoutlet 132 that may expel air from the fan blade 108.

The interior passageway 130 (FIGS. 2-3) of each nozzle 124 may be influid communication with the interior chamber 116 of the central hub 104by way of the internally disposed channel of the stem 120, and suchpassageway may extend uninterrupted around a perimeter the nozzle 124 ofand/or or along a length of the nozzle 124. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the outlet 132 may be formed along a lower edge 134 of thenozzle 124, the lower edge 134 being disposed a distance away from aceiling to which the ceiling fan 100 may attach. The outlet 132 may beconfigured to expel air out of the ceiling fan 100 in a downwarddirection relative to the central hub 104, as depicted in FIG. 3.Additional ceiling fan embodiments may include additional outlets 132and/or an outlet 132 positioned at alternative locations along the fanblades 108. The outlets 132 may also be angled (e.g., by way ofproviding angled and/or overlapping outlet surfaces or walls) to expelthe air in a direction angled relative to the central hub 104. In theillustrated embodiment, the ceiling fan 100 may include four fan blades108. The fan blades 108 may be equally or non-equally spaced about thecentral hub 104. In other embodiments, the ceiling fan 100 may includefewer or more fan blades 108 and may include fan blades of differingshapes (e.g., circular, rectangular, elliptical, and/or the like),lengths, and/or the like.

With reference to FIG. 2, the central hub 104 may include a first, uppersection 136, a second, middle section 140, and a third, lower section144. In some embodiments, the central hub 104 may include fewer oradditional sections. The upper section 136 may be configured to attach(e.g., via mounting, adhering, coupling, and/or the like) to a ceilingor other suitable surface or structure (e.g., a rafter, and/or the like)of a building. The upper section 136 may include suitable structures formounting to the ceiling, such as a bracket for coupling directly to theceiling or for receiving a downrod. The upper section 136 may alsodefine the inlet 112. The middle section 140 is located between theupper section 136 and the lower section 144 and supports the fan blades108. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the lower section 144 maysupport a light emitting portion 146 of the ceiling fan 100. The lightemitting portion 146 may include one or more incandescent bulbs. Inother embodiments, the light emitting portion 146 may include one ormore light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other suitable light emitters orelements. The lower section 144 may also include a lens 147 or othersuitable cover for covering the light emitters of the light emittingportion 146. The various sections (e.g., 136, 140, 144) of the centralhub 104 may be secured to each other such that the middle section 140may be able to rotate respective to (e.g., about, around, and/or thelike) a central axis C of the central hub 104, while the upper section136 and/or the lower section 144 may remain stationary.

The ceiling fan 100 may also include a motor 148 (e.g., a first motor)and an impeller 152. The motor 148 and the impeller 152 may be disposedproximate to the central hub 104, and in some embodiments be positionedwithin the interior chamber 116 of the central hub 104. As shown in theillustrated embodiment, the motor 148 may be positioned within the uppersection 136 of the central hub 104. The motor 148 may be electricallycoupled to a power source within a room in which the ceiling fan 100 maybe positioned. Alternatively, the motor 148 may be electrically coupledto a battery supported by the central hub 104, such as a battery pack.The impeller 152 may be coupled to an output shaft (not shown) of themotor 148. The motor 148 may rotate the impeller 152 respective to theoutput shaft to induce an airflow that draws air into the interiorpassageways of the central hub 104 through the air inlet 112. In theillustrated embodiment, the motor 148 may rotate the impeller 152 aboutthe central axis C of the central hub 104. The impeller 152 may beassociated with a bladeless fan operable by way of bladeless technologyfor generating an airflow through ceiling fan 100. In this way,bladeless technology may be used in conjunction with bladed technologyimparted by way of employing fan blades 108 for producing a desiredairflow in a room.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3, during operation of the ceiling fan 100,the motor 148 may rotate the impeller 152 to draw air from outside theceiling fan 100 into the ceiling fan 100 through the air inlet 112 andinto the interior chamber 116 of the central hub 104. Once air is insidethe central hub 104, the impeller 152 may propel the air through thechannels of the stems 120 and into the interior passageways 130 of theplurality of fan blades 108. The air may travel around the entirety ofthe fan blades 108, in some embodiments. As the air circulates throughthe interior passageways 130 of the fan blades 108, the air may beexpelled out of the ceiling fan 100 through the outlets 132 at arelatively high velocity. Due to natural convection and the highvelocity at which the air is expelled from the outlets 132, surroundingair may be drawn through the central apertures 128 of the fan blades 108through inducement of air behind the fan blades 108, while additionalairflow combines with the induced air through entrainment of air onedges of the fan blades 108, causing an amplifying effect. In this way,the ceiling fan 100 may provide improved air circulation and/or airflowin a room for improved heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, each of the fan blades 108 may include a separatemotor and a separate impeller coupled to the separate motor for inducingan airflow in the fan blade 108, rather than employing the shared motor148 and impeller 152 described above. In such embodiments, each of thefan blades 108 may also include an air inlet positioned adjacent thestem 120.

With reference to FIGS. 4-5, the ceiling fan 100 may include a driveassembly 154 for rotating and/or tilting the fan blades 108 for inducinga desired airflow. The drive assembly 154 may include a first gear 156(FIG. 5) and a second motor 160 (FIG. 5). The first gear 156 may be aring gear and, more particularly, an inner ring gear. The first gear 156may be positioned within and coupled to the middle section 140 of thecentral hub 104 such that the first gear 156 and the central hub 104share the central axis C (e.g., the central hub 104 and first gear 156may be centered respective to the central axis C, the central hub 104and first gear 156 may co-rotate respective to the central axis C in asame or different directions, and/or the like). The first gear 156 mayalso be secured to the middle section 140 for causing rotation of themiddle section 140 (and, thereby, the fan blades 108) about the centralaxis C relative to the upper section 136 and the lower section 144. Thesecond motor 160 may be positioned within the middle section 140 and bemounted on an upper plate 164 of the lower section 144. The second motor160 may include a respective motor gear or pinion 168 (FIG. 5) coupledto (e.g., intermeshed with) the first gear 156. The second motor 160 maybe operable to rotate the first gear 156, the middle section 140 of thecentral hub 104, and/or the fan blades 108 about the central axis C asthe motor pinion 168 drives the first gear 156.

When power is supplied to the second motor 160, the second motor 160 mayrotate the motor pinion 168. Since the motor pinion 168 and the firstgear 156 may be meshed, rotation of the first gear 168 may cause thefirst gear 156 to rotate. Due to the first gear 156 being secured to themiddle section 140 of the central hub 104, rotation of the first gear156 may cause the middle section 140, and thus the fan blades 108, torotate about the central axis C of the central hub 104. During rotationof the middle section 140, the upper section 136 and the lower section144 may remain stationary. The speed of rotation of the middle section140 and the fan blades 108 may be determined by the revolutions perminute (rpm) of the second motor 160. Additionally, or alternatively,the direction of the rotation of the fan blades 108 may be determined bythe direction of rotation of the second motor 160.

In certain embodiments, the rpm and the direction of rotation of thesecond motor 160 may be set and/or controlled by a user input (e.g., anapp on a smartphone or computer, a remote control, a pull cord, anactuator on the central hub 104, etc.). In additional embodiments, therpm and the direction of rotation of the second motor 160 may bedetermined and set by a control scheme that measures environmentalparameters (e.g., room temperature, room humidity, and/or the like).

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, and in some embodiments, the driveassembly 154 may additionally include a second gear 172 and a respectivemotor, in this case a third motor 176. The second gear 172 may be a ringgear and, more particularly, an outer ring gear. The second gear 172 maybe positioned within the middle section 140 of the central hub 104 suchthat the second gear 172 and the central hub 104 may be co-axialrespective to central axis C. The second gear 172 may also be positionedoutside of (e.g., around) the first gear 156. The third motor 176 may bepositioned within the middle section 140 and mounted on the upper plate164 of the lower section 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondmotor 160 and the third motor 176 may be positioned on diametricallyopposite sides of the upper plate 164 to help balance the central hub104. In other embodiments, the second motor 160 and the third motor 176may be positioned adjacent each other or elsewhere on the central hub104. The third motor 176 may include a respective motor gear or pinion180 coupled to (e.g., intermeshed with) the second gear 172. Each fanblade 108 may also include an oscillation gear 184 coupled to (e.g.,intermeshed with) the second gear 172. The oscillation gears 184 may bedisposed on, over, around and/or proximate to the stems 120 of theplurality of fan blades 108, and be oriented so that a center of anannular opening of the oscillation gears 184 are substantiallyorthogonal to the central axis C. The motor pinion 180 may engage teethformed on one side of the second gear 172, while the oscillation gears184 may engage teeth formed on an opposite side of the second gear 172.The third motor 176 may be operable to move the second gear 172respective to the central axis C to tilt (e.g., by way of rotating) thefan blades 108 about their respective longitudinal axes B as the motorpinion 180 drives the second gear 172, which drives the oscillationgears 184. In this way, air may be expelled from the fan blades 108 in apreferential direction by way of tilting the fan blades 108 towards thepreferential direction. Additionally, or alternatively, in this way, thefan blades 108 may be caused to repeatedly tilt in opposing directionsand, thus, oscillate respective to the fan hub 104 for improvingcirculation of air in spaces adjacent to and/or surrounding the ceilingfan 100.

When power is supplied to the third motor 176, the third motor 176 mayrotate the motor pinion 180. Since the motor pinion 180 and the secondgear 172 may be meshed, rotation of the motor pinion 180 causes thesecond gear 172 to move (e.g., rotate at least a small degree about thecentral axis C). Due to the second gear 172 being meshed with theoscillation gears 184 of the fan blades 108, as the outer ring 172rotates, the oscillation gears 184 may also rotate, tilting the fanblades 108 relative to the central hub 104 about respective longitudinalaxes B. The third motor 176 may rotate the fan blades 108 without movingthe middle section 140 of the central hub 104. Tilting of the fan blades108 may include a continuous tilt (e.g., rotation) of the fan blades 108about their longitudinal axes B as the ceiling fan 100 operates, adiscrete movement to a desired tilt angle, and/or oscillation of the fanblades 108 back-and-forth through an angle of motion (e.g., +/−15degrees respective to an axis B, +/−30 degrees respective to an axis B,+/−45 degrees respective to an axis B, +/−90 degrees respective to anaxis B, and/or the like). In the illustrated embodiment, the second gear172 and the third motor 176 may cause all of the fan blades 108 to tilttogether, simultaneously (e.g., in a simultaneous direction, at the sametime, and/or the like) in a coordinated manner. Additionally, oralternatively, the drive assembly 154 may be configured to independentlytilt each of the fan blades 108. Similar to the second motor 160, thespeed of tilt of the fan blades 108 may be based on the rpm of the thirdmotor 176. The amount (i.e., degree) of tilt of the fan blades 108 maybe determined by the amount of rotations of the third motor 176. Thedirection of tilt of the fan blades 108 may be determined by thedirection of rotation of the second motor 176.

In certain embodiments, the rpm, the amount of completed rotations,and/or the direction of rotation of the third motor 176 may be set by auser input (e.g., an app on a smartphone or computer, a remote control,a pull cord, an actuator on the central hub 104, and/or the like). Inadditional embodiments, the rpm, the amount of completed rotations, andthe direction of rotation of the third motor 176 may be determined andset by a control scheme that measures environmental parameters (e.g.,room temperature, room humidity, and/or the like).

In the depicted embodiment, rotating, tilting, and oscillating of thefan blades 108 relative to the central hub 104 may be used to direct anairflow towards specific locations within a room and generate additionalairflow while maintaining the amplification of airflow that is producedby the fan blades 108. For example, rotation of the fan blades 108relative to the central hub 104 may circulate the airflow throughout theroom. Whereas the airflow produced by the fan blades 108 may beprimarily directed in a direction downward from each fan blade 108, asthe fan blades 108 rotate, the airflow produced by each fan blade 108may be circulated and amplified. Tilting the fan blades 108 relative tothe central hub 104 may direct the airflow produced by each fan blade108. While in a neutral (e.g., horizontal) position, the fan blades 108of the depicted embodiment may direct the airflow downward, whereastilting the fan blades 108 may change the angle in which the airflow isdirected. By oscillating the fan blades 108, air may be expelled fromthe outlets 132 in a range of directions, creating a greater airflow.Combining rotating and tilting of the fan blades 108 may allow theairflow being output by the fan blades 108 to be customized and/orcontrolled based on a desired location for the airflow and/or the amountof circulation of the airflow within the room. For example, tilting androtating the fan blades 108 may provide airflow to a largercircumferential area than would solely rotating the fan blades 108.

In alternative embodiments, the fan blades 108 may be operable to eithertilt relative to the central hub 104 or to rotate about the central axisC, but not both. In some embodiments, the fan blades 108 may bestationary relative to the central hub 104, meaning the fan blades 108may neither rotate about the central axis C nor tilt relative to thecentral hub 104.

In some embodiments, the ceiling fan 100 may include a single motor thatboth causes rotation of the fan blades 108 about the central axis C andtilting/oscillating of the fan blades 108 about respective axes B of thefan blades 108. In further embodiments, the ceiling fan 100 may includea single motor that rotates the impeller 152, rotates the fan blades 108about the central axis C, and tilts/oscillates the fan blades 108 abouttheir respective axes B.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of a ceiling fan, generallydesignated 200. The ceiling fan 200 may be similar in form and/orfunction to the ceiling fan 100 described above, and only thedifferences between the ceiling fan 200 and the ceiling fan 100 aboveare described in detail below.

The ceiling fan 200 may include a central hub 204, a light 208positioned below the central hub 208, and a plurality of fan blades 212disposed around the central hub 204. Although not illustrated, theceiling fan 200 may include a mount on the top side of the central hub204 to mount the ceiling fan 200 to a ceiling (or surface) of a room.Inside the central hub 204 may be a motor (not shown) coupled to a powersource to energize the motor and an impeller (not shown) coupled to anoutput shaft of the motor for rotation within the central hub 204. Thecentral hub 204 may further include an air inlet 216 connected to aninterior chamber surrounding the motor and impeller. In someembodiments, in addition to powering the impeller of a fan that drawsair into the air inlet 216, the motor may be capable of rotating and/ortilting the plurality of fan blades 212 respective to the central hub204. In other embodiments, the ceiling fan 200 may include additionalmotors that rotate and/or tilt the fan blades 208 as described herein.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the plurality of fanblades 212 extends radially from the central hub 204 and may include aninterior passageway (not shown) that may be connected to the interiorchamber of the central hub 204. Each of the plurality of fan blades 212may include multiple outlets 220. One outlet 220 may be positioned onone side of the fan blade 212 and generally extend the length of the fanblade 212, and another outlet 220 may be positioned on another (e.g., anopposite) side of the fan blade 212 and generally extend the length ofthe fan blade 212. More than two outlets 220 may be provided per fanblade 212 in some embodiments. In some embodiments the outlets 220 maybe disposed adjacent and/or proximate to an upper surface of thecorresponding fan blade 212. As air is expelled from the outlets 220,the air may be routed across or over and follow the outer surface of thefan blades 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the ceiling fan 200 mayinclude five fan blades 212. In other embodiments, the ceiling fan 200may include fewer or more fan blades 212, including an even quantity offan blades 212 or an odd quantity of fan blades 212.

As shown in FIG. 7, the fan blades 212 may include decorative covers224. The covers 224 may be integrally formed with the fan blades 212 orremovably attached to the fan blades 212. The covers 224 may includecolors, designs, shapes, patterns, and the like. In some embodiments,air may be expelled from the decorative shapes or patterns by way ofcirculating air through the fan as described herein. That is, in someembodiments, the outlets may be provided as a decorative shape, pattern,or design.

During operation of the ceiling fan 200, the motor may rotate theimpeller to draw air from outside the ceiling fan 200 through the airinlet 216 and into the interior chamber of the central hub 204. Once airis inside the interior chamber, the impeller may force the air into theinterior passageways of each of the fan blades 212 and expel the air outthrough the air outlets 220 at a high velocity. Due to naturalconvection and the high velocity at which the air is expelled from theoutlets 220, an amplifying airflow effect may be created in a space 228defined between consecutive fan blades 212. In addition, the motor mayrotate the fan blades 212 about the central hub 204 to vary the positionof the outlets 220.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a ceiling fan, generallydesignated 300. The ceiling fan 300 may be similar in form and/orfunction to the ceiling fan 200 described above, and only thedifferences between the ceiling fan 300 and the ceiling fan 200 aboveare described in detail below.

The ceiling fan 300 may include a central hub 304 and a plurality of fanblades 312 positioned circumferentially around the central hub 304. Eachfan blade 312 may define a longitudinal axis 316. The illustratedlongitudinal axes 316 may be centrally positioned through each of theplurality of fan blades 312. The fan blades 312 may be asymmetricalrespective to the axes 316. The fan blades 312 may be formed in anaerodynamic shape having curved and/or sloped surfaces and/or edges. Thefan blades 312 may be oscillated respective to the longitudinal axes316, as indicated by arrows A. In some embodiments, stems of the fanblades 312 may include gear teeth on an outside surface that extendcircumferentially about the stems (e.g., as described above in regard toceiling fan 100). Each fan blade 312 may include a motor with a drivegear that connects to the gear teeth on the stem. During operation ofthe ceiling fan 300, each motor may interact with the gear teeth of thecorresponding fan blade 312 to rotate the fan blade. The motor for eachfan blade 304 may drive the stems 120 to rotate relative to the centralhub 304 to facilitate oscillation. By oscillating the fan blades 312,air may be expelled from outlets of the fan blades 312 in a range ofdirections, creating a greater airflow. In other embodiments, theceiling fan 300 may employ one motor to rotate and oscillate the fanblades 312, for example, by way of a gear ring.

Various features of the present subject matter are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling fan comprising: a central hub includingan interior chamber; a motor disposed in the central hub; an impellercoupled to the motor for rotation relative to the central hub; and aplurality of fan blades extending outwardly from the central hub, atleast one of the plurality of fan blades including a nozzle that definesan interior passageway and an outlet, and the interior passageway of thenozzle being in fluid communication with the interior chamber of thecentral hub; wherein the motor actuates the impeller for drawing airinto the interior chamber of the central hub, forcing the air to theinterior passageway of the nozzle, and expelling the air from theoutlet.
 2. The ceiling fan of claim 1, further comprising a driveassembly supported by the central hub, the drive assembly operable tomove the plurality of fan blades relative to the central hub.
 3. Theceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the drive assembly is operable to rotatethe plurality of fan blades about a central axis of the central hub. 4.The ceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the drive assembly is operable totilt a fan blade of the plurality of fan blades about a longitudinalaxis that is perpendicular to a central axis of the central hub.
 5. Theceiling fan of claim 2, wherein the drive assembly includes: a firstmotor; a first ring gear coupled to the first motor; the first ring gearbeing configured to induce rotation of the plurality of fan blades; asecond motor; and a second ring gear coupled to the second motor, thesecond ring gear being configured to induce oscillation of the pluralityof fan blades.
 6. The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein the central hubincludes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior chamber, andwherein the air enters the interior chamber through the inlet.
 7. Theceiling fan of claim 6, wherein the inlet is positioned above theplurality of fan blades.
 8. The ceiling fan of claim 1 furthercomprising a light positioned below the plurality of fan blades.
 9. Theceiling fan of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fan bladesincludes a nozzle that defines an interior passageway and an outlet. 10.The ceiling fan of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fan bladescomprises multiple outlets.
 11. The ceiling fan of claim 10, wherein themultiple outlets are formed in a decorative design.
 12. A ceiling fancomprising: a central hub having a central axis; a plurality of fanblades extending outwardly from the central hub, a fan blade of theplurality of fan blades having a longitudinal axis that is perpendicularto the central axis; and a drive assembly supported by the central hub,the drive assembly being operable to rotate the plurality of fan bladesrelative to the central axis of the central hub, and the drive assemblybeing operable to rotate the fan blade relative to the longitudinalaxis.
 13. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein: each of the plurality offan blades includes a respective longitudinal axis, the drive assemblyis configured to simultaneously rotate each of the plurality of fanblades relative to the respective longitudinal axis.
 14. The ceiling fanof claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of fan blades isindependently rotatable to a respective tilt angle by the driveassembly, and wherein at least a first tilt angle is different from asecond tilt angle.
 15. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein the driveassembly includes a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan bladesrelative to the central axis.
 16. The ceiling fan of claim 12, whereinthe drive assembly includes a ring gear secured to a section of thecentral hub that supports the plurality of fan blades, and wherein amotor is coupled to the ring gear to rotate the ring gear for inducingrotation of the plurality of fan blades relative to the central axis.17. The ceiling fan of claim 12, wherein the each of the plurality offan blades includes a respective oscillation gear, and wherein the driveassembly is configured to move each respective oscillation gear to tilteach of the plurality of fan blades.
 18. The ceiling fan of claim 12,further comprising: a motor disposed in the central hub; and an impellercoupled to the motor; the motor being configured to actuate the impellerto draw air into the central hub and force the air through the pluralityof fan blades.
 19. A ceiling fan comprising: a central hub including: aninterior chamber; a first motor disposed in the central hub; and animpeller coupled to the first motor; a plurality of fan blades extendingoutwardly from the central hub, each of the plurality of fan bladesincluding a nozzle and an oscillation gear, each nozzle defining aninterior passageway and an outlet, and the interior passageway of eachnozzle being in fluid communication with the interior chamber of thecentral hub; a drive assembly supported by the central hub, the driveassembly including: a ring gear coupled to a respective oscillation gearof each of the plurality of fan blades; and a second motor coupled tothe ring gear, wherein the second motor is configured to move the ringgear relative to a central axis of the hub to tilt each of the pluralityof fan blades relative to a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular tothe central axis; and wherein the first motor is configured to actuatethe impeller to draw air into the interior chamber of the central hub,force the air to the interior passageways of the nozzles, and expel theair out from the outlets of the plurality of fan blades.
 20. The ceilingfan of claim 19, wherein the drive assembly further comprises: a secondring gear supporting the plurality of fan blades; and a third motorcoupled to the second ring gear, the third motor being configured torotate the second ring gear for rotating the plurality of fan bladesabout the central axis.